Billingsley, the only baseball coach Chino Hills High School has ever had, was removed from that job in a meeting with principal Isabel Brenes on Tuesday afternoon.

He started the program and had a combined record of 212-129-2 that included three Sierra League titles in the last six years. One of those came this year when he led the Huskies to a 23-6 showing, the season ending with a 1-0 loss to La Mirada in a CIF Division 2 quarterfinal.

He was the Daily Bulletin’s coach of the year, rewarded after his team finished first in what was one of the most talented leagues in Southern California.

He was understandably disappointed.

“I live 100 yards from the school. My kids go to school in this district, my family went to school in this district so I am rooted right here,” he said. “I never saw myself leaving here.”

Billingsley said the principal, who was just appointed last fall, told him she wanted to go in a “new direction” but didn’t elaborate any further.

He was put on administrative leave for two weeks late in that season. He said that had to do with a tweet he sent out that he said was “misinterpreted” by school officials. He asked if that had anything to do with his dismissal but was told no.

Billingsley is also on staff as an art teacher and will remain there in that capacity.

He hasn’t decided what his next step will be and whether or not he’ll seek a coaching position elsewhere. His brother Brent and father Alan were on his staff and concedes they aren’t likely to remain but is hopes his lower level coaches are retained which would make the transition a bit smoother.

“I don’t know if there is anything I can do to try and keep the job,” he said. “But then again I don’t necessarily want to stay of I’m not wanted. I feel bad I won’t be there for the players who came to me and the parents that wanted me to coach their kids.”

Messages left for Brenes were not returned.

Ganesha names AD

Don Cayer has been named athletic director at Ganesha high School, replacing John McGaha.

He previously served as a teacher at Fremont, which doesn’t have athletics. He was also football coach at Pomona for two years before moving over to Ganesha. He served as assistant athletic director last year so the responsibilities won’t be new to him.

Cayer is also the school’s head football coach, a position he took a year ago. The school district has restructured its staff positions so Cayer will have much of the school day to get administrative things done before heading to practice.